At the May 8, 2025 Hot Springs Planning Commission meeting, staff and the applicant asked the commission to recommend that the Board of Directors rezone 223 Civic Street from Residential Neighborhood 5 (RN-5) to Central Business District (CBD) and to amend the future land use plan map from Residential Medium High to Linear Commercial Corridor.

Director Selman introduced the application, saying the request covers approximately 0.18 acres at the corner of Civic Street and Convention Boulevard and that "The Central Business District is intended to accommodate the most intense mixed use development within the city of Hot Springs." Selman advised the commission that the property's present future land use classification is not consistent with the requested CBD zoning and that staff recommends a future land use map amendment to Linear Commercial Corridor.

Jonathan Martin, attorney for the applicant, said the property is essentially commercial in character and is "a good opportunity to kinda revitalize a part of Convention Boulevard." Martin noted the site "has been for a long time known as the corner bar," and said a zoning change would better reflect surrounding uses, including the nearby Hot Springs Convention Center and mixed commercial activity.

Property owner Charles Schroeder told commissioners he bought nearby Hot Springs High School in March 2022 and described intentions to "revitalize it," saying the existing building has a leaking roof and other deferred maintenance. Schroeder suggested potential uses including catering or a "ghost kitchen" in the back of the property.

The commission found the application met standards for favorable consideration and that CBD zoning would be compatible with adjacent CBD properties to the west and south. The commission voted to recommend that the Board of Directors adopt an ordinance designating the property CBD and to amend the future land use map; the roll-call approval included Bow (approve), Lamont (approve), Davis (approve), Ramey (approve), Gerke (approve), Walker (approve) and Stafford (approve). The Planning Commission's recommendation will go to the Board of Directors for final action at its June 3, 2025 meeting at 6 p.m. in this room.

No formal development plan was presented; the applicant stated the property is under contract contingent on obtaining the requested zoning and that a specific development plan was not before the commission.